All patterns are delivered automatically as digital downloads. Wide range of sizes and tutorials included.
All patterns are delivered automatically as digital downloads. Wide range of sizes and tutorials included.
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I hope you're all ready to go with the first clue?
The part I love about bottom up knits is that it feels like a gentle start. Once you've checked your gauge and learned the pattern stitch, you are just working back and forth in rows to begin.
The Galanta sweater begins with each side of the back and front worked flat in Faux Cable stitch. I loved this as I started the project while I was travelling. This allowed for nice, mindful knitting while flying and driving.
Once you've finished the flap, it's time to join in the round. This continues the Faux Cable all around initially, but then starts a stepped decrease on both the front and back.
I love the end effect this creates!
Once the Faux Cable is complete, you're just working in stockinette stitch in the round to the underarm. In the samples there is no waist shaping and I've kept the length slightly (but not too) cropped.
This sweater will comfortably work with a variety of ease options, depending on your personal preference. In fact, I'm modelling two different sample sizes; the sweater is modelled in the third size and the vest is the second size. You can easily see how the fit varies depending on how much ease you opt for.
There are a few different modifications you may opt for in the body.
To do this, you will just cast on all the stitches, join immediately in the round and then work the Faux Cable pattern in the round for three repeats instead of one
I've opted for a more cropped style in the sweater, but if you have extra yarn, you can work the body for a longer length to suit your personal style and body shape.
Every extra 1”/ 2.5 cm will require approximately 22 (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) yds / 20 (22, 24, 25.5, 27.5, 29, 31, 33, 34.5, 36.5) m of yarn.
I've knit the body straight which suits the cropped style of the sweater. If however, you'd like a bit of waist shaping, I think you would also need to add length to the body.
To shape, you can decrease at the top of the waist and then increase to the bust. Basic details of how to work those decreases and increases are given in the pattern tips, but the spacing will depend on your body.
Remember to move the shaping in from the edge of your work so it won't conflict with the Faux Cable pattern!
So now that you've an overview of this clue, are you looking forward to jumping in?
Hop on over to our Galanta Knithub KAL forum to share your progress with other knitters!
It's one of our favourite times of the year around here...
It's Autumn KAL time!
We get to dream about our first sweater for the cooler weather and this year we went for options.
Why?
Because everyone's dream sweater is a little different.
So join us this autumn as we choose from various scrumptious yarns, different edges and modifications, as well as choosing between a full sweater or a vest pattern.
A knit-along may be just what you're looking for.
You'll find lots of help along the way when you run into problems and tons of support to cheer you on to the finish line.
Our knit-alongs are always released as 'clues' with each part of the pattern released on the schedule. For the Galanta KAL, the release schedule will be as follows:
To begin with, grab the Galanta pattern here. It comes with a full complimentary workshop series for the KAL ahead.
Then you will decide if you want to knit the sweater or the vest.
Now it's time to grab the yarn kit for the vest or the sweater. All kits come with both Nua Worsted and Blasta yarn options. You can see Nua Worsted kit knit up above in the vest and Blasta for the sweater.
Yes, you can also stash dive if you have some prized yarn at home you can't wait to cast on with.
Once you have your yarn and pattern, you can join the KnitHub chat forum here to chat with fellow knitters about which option you picked and get started with your swatching and sizing!
Finally, you need to log into Teachable to access your video workshops. These will be added as each new clue is released. You will also find pattern updates in here too as well as a dedicated comment section.
Now all that's left is to start swatching!
Have any questions?
Post them in our dedicated KnitHub KAL channel here.
Can you believe it? The final clue is here!
You can now find Clue 3 of the Holly Blue cardigan knit-along in your inboxes and in our pattern workshop. It's time to grab your needles and take on those sleeves.
There will be no knitter left behind as we zoom past sleeve island and on to the finishing bands and blocking. We are very excited to see you all with your finished cardigans very soon!
Don't worry if you haven't finished Clue 2 yet. It's more important that you enjoy the knit-along at your own pace and you have a garment that you are thrilled with!
In this clue, we will be finishing our sleeves as well as our neck and button bands.
In this clue, pay close attention to your sleeve size and where your Bumblebee lace sleeve motif will be positioned. This will also be the first motif that you work in the round!
Your pattern workshop has step-by-step tutorials on:
You can find all of your KAL step-by-step videos right here and if you're just finding out about our spring 2023 knit-along you can join us here.
Don't forget you still have time to post your knit-along wip in Knithub or on social with the tag #HOLLYBLUEKAL before we choose our clue 2 winner! Carol will choose and announce a clue 2 winner on June 14th 2023.
Our final prize will be announced on June 22nd 2023. As with our other clues, the winner will be chosen from finished photos of the Holly Blue Cardigan in our Knithub or on social tagged with #HOLLYBLUEKAL.
When you are working sleeves from the top down, you will have a lot of scope to change the size to suit your body shape. Check your body measurements against the schematic and decide if you need more or less room on the sleeve. Then you can calculate the number of stitches you will need and adjust the increase frequency.
This is one of the biggest advantages of knitting seamlessly from the top down, you can adjust the sleeve length to suit your body and your preference. Like 3/4 length sleeves? No problem! When you are knitting your sleeve from the top down you can knit to the length that suits you. You may need to make adjustments to the number and placement of your sleeve decreases if you're making a big adjustment in length. Guidance will be given in the tips for this club.
The buttonholes are worked after your body is complete by picking up stitches for the band and working it from the side. If you have adjusted the length of your garment you may also want to adjust the number of buttons and the spacing of them. Carol will give you some tips on how to visually change the spacing of those buttonholes using moveable markers to see where they will and on your cardigan.
Are we excited?
We can't quite believe it but Clue 2 of the Holly Blue cardigan knit-along is live! It's time to grab your wip's and prepare for some knitting fun.
Don't worry if you haven't finished Clue 1 yet. It's more important that you enjoy the knit-along at your own pace and have a garment that you are thrilled with!
It's time to move on to the body of the Holly Blue cardigan.
In this clue we will be:
In your pattern workshop, you will also find video tutorials on bust modifications and checking your bust size.
You can find all of your KAL step-by-step videos right here and if you're just finding out about our spring 2023 knit-along you can join us here.
Don't forget you still have time to post your knit-along wip in Knithub or on social with the tag #HOLLYBLUEKAL before we choose our clue 1 winner! Carol will choose and announce a clue 1 winner on May 31st 2023.
Our knit-along or KAL is released in several sections called 'clues' so that our community can knit each section together and learn from each other. It also stops people racing ahead and gives slower knitters time to catch up before the next clue is released.
This is also a great way to knit your first garment or learn about bust modifications. You also have the support and camaraderie of other knitters just like you. This means that if you stumble with a particular stitch or technique, you can see how others (and Carol) would approach it.
The neck as measured may seem bigger. This is for 2 reasons; first is that cast-ons can stretch out and will be measured larger, but secondly (most important!) you increase immediately after the cast-on so it gets larger very quickly.
If you measure your stitch gauge and it is correct, this is the most important thing. The neck edging is worked afterwards, and picking up stitches will tighten the neck edge up and hold it's stability. You can even drop down a needle size if you are concerned about the size of the neck.
It's okay to pause at this point and try on your garment. This is the best thing about top-down knitting! Lace does tend to grow/bloom with wet blocking, so slipping your wip onto some waste yarn or spare cables that are long enough and gently steam blocking will give you an idea of the finished garment.
Note that the button band and neckband will add a bit of growth constraint and structure to your garment. The mid-project blocking should help you get a better idea of whether or not the yoke fabric will sit on / around your shoulders.
In the knit-along each clue comes with tips to modify that section of the garment. The body of the sweater has gentle a-line shaping. You will find suggestions on how you can omit that shaping or even create a more fitted waist.
Clue 1 of the Holly Blue KAL is live!
Grab your needles and let's dive in. This cardigan is knit from the top down, so we are starting off strong and putting all of your excited knitting energy to work.
In this clue release, we are working the yoke. This means we are taking on the Bumble Bee lace pattern and those subtle yoke increases and, of course, we will be working some German short rows.
You can find all of your KAL step-by-step videos right here and if you're just finding out about the Spring 2023 knit-along you can join us here.
If you need a quick refresher about the Holly Blue knit-along you can press play here:
If you're new to our knit-alongs, we have a dedicated support and chat thread in our Knithub. This is where you can find all the updates, dedicated thread, and community support.
This year, our knit-along participants have decided to create teams prompted by the wonderful Liz Dolan. Susan Weeks has created these stunning team logos.
Aren't they fantastic?
All you have to do is choose your team and join the chat in Knithub. Susan has kindly allowed us to use the logos on social media, so if you are using them on social platforms outside of Knithub, please make sure to credit her!
Don't forget that we will have spot prizes for each clue release and our grand prize will be drawn on June 22, 2023.
Joining the knit-along after the live launch? Watch the live replay of Clue 1 right here:
During our Instagram Live, we covered some of your most popular questions for this knit-along. You can watch the replay below. Don't forget we will be live at 2.30pm Irish Time over on Instagram every Thursday, and you can catch the replays on our YouTube channel here.
You can find all the videos for the Holly Blue KAL right here.
We always recommend swatching. Though if you have used Nua previously and have a note of a swatch in the correct needle size and stocking stitch you can use this but please do swatch the lace pattern! You can find our tutorials on how to knit a swatch and how to block and measure a swatch and more on our tutorials page.
We have a full blog post right here on how to choose your garment size. It covers positive and negative ease and the importance of swatching. The Holly Blue cardigan sample pictured shows the 39.5” / 100.5 cm modelled with 4” / 105 cm of positive ease. The model is 5’ 6” tall. The sweater works best with 2-4” / 5-10 cm of positive ease.
Each new part of the pattern will be released as a 'clue' on the schedule below:
No, you are welcome to join us and knit from your stash! Just make sure that your swatch meets the recommended gauge for the knitting pattern. You can, however, nab a pattern, workshop and yarn kit bundle right here.
Once we've finished the top section (yoke) it's time to move onto the body. A few different things will be happening now:
The sweater is kept fairly short, with more of a cropped style. If you'd like yours longer just repeat that front panel a few more times. (Make sure you've got enough yarn!)
When you're finished you'll notice that the front panel 'pushes' the work down a bit at the bottom hem. To compensate a little for this we will work short rows across the back to drop it down a bit. I know that some testers liked how this looked and left it without the short rows!
Finally we will finish with ribbing. This will draw the edge of the work in and creates a more stable edge. If you don't want it to draw in too much you could increase the needle size that you use for the ribbing.
Then finally you just need to bind off. Take plenty of care that it's not too tight! I stretched out my work between each stitch to keep it loose enough.
Have fun!
I hope you're all ready to go with Brutach clue 1!
You can listen to me chat all about clue 1 here:
This sweater is worked from the top down so you will begin at the top on the back.
When we start this sweater we will have all the back stitches cast on at the same time. The first and last stitch will be knit as this makes it easier to maintain the brioche pattern.
Now you will do two things:
Once the back is complete (you'll knit the depth needed for half the sleeve circumference), it's time to start on the front. This starts by picking up stitches (from your marked neck edge on the back) for the left front.
You will then work German Short Rows, just like for the back, but this time just on one side.
The difference with the front is that you are also working an increase along the side of the neck. Because it is brioche this is a double increase.
When you have finished the Left Front you will begin working the Right Front. This starts by picking up stitches from the right armhole edge from the Back to the right neck edge (that was marked on the back of the work).
You will then work German Short Rows, just like for the Left Front, just on the other side.
You will again be working neck increases after the short rows but this time they will happen on the other end, again on the neck side of the work.
Time is moving along so quickly these days. While this does mean that it's hard to keep up, the great thing is that it's already time to launch our autumn KAL! This year our autumn sweater is a top down, brioche sweater. If you're new to brioche then this is a great time to jump in!
I fell in love with brioche a few years ago when I tried it for the first time. It creates a super squishy fabric with lots of stretch. This makes it ideal for a looser fitting, cropped sweater. The cropped length prevents it from getting too heavy and when its loose fitting you can really allow the brioche to behave as it wants to!
This is knit from the top down, starting with the upper back as far as the armhole. Then you will come back to pick up each side of the front and knit each side, while also increasing along the neckline. The beauty of brioche is that even a simple increase looks amazing!
Now if you're new to brioche this KAL is a great way to learn it. The pattern is on presale right now but the first clue will not be released until the 7th of October. This gives you lots of time to learn the basics in our free brioche basics class here.
Then you'll be ready to jump into this sweater. If you purchase both the pattern and yarn kit together you will get a 5% discount. All KAL pattern purchases will come with code to access the video workshop. If the technique is new to you you will have step-by-step guidance while you knit the sweater. (The class is yours to keep but if you wait until after the KAL is over it becomes a separate workshop purchase!).
The timing of the KAL clue release is as follows:
If you're new to our KALs you can find our general KAL intro here.
I'm really looking forward to this!
We're getting very close to finishing the Laminarus cardigan now! The final step is the sleeves and front edging. I enjoy this part as each knitting section is a little smaller, so you can see your progress quickly!
This cardigan creates set-in sleeves that are worked from the top-down seamlessly. You begin by picking up stitches all the way around the armhole opening (starting at the underarm). I usually use Magic Loop to work in the round, but you can also use double-pointed needles.
The sleeve cap shape here is created using German Short Rows. You work back and forth across the top section of the sleeve, adding one more stitch each time you turn. Working these short rows creates a curved shoulder cap that is similar to the shaping on a heel.
If you want to change the size of your upper arm, it's very easy with this type of sleeve construction. You just need to pick up more (or less) stitches around your armhole.
If it's not a large change, it will work just fine. You can then work more (or less) short rows to match the number of stitches you have changed. So very little calculation is required!
Once the sleeve cap is complete, you will join your sleeve to work in the round and work down to the cuff, adding decreases on each side of the bottom to reduce the size at the cuff. The sleeve as written is 3/4 length. If you want a shorter or longer sleeve, you can adjust your sleeve shaping also.
Once your sleeves are complete, all you have left to do then is the edging. You will begin by picking up stitches around the neck edge. I used a smaller needle size to avoid the neck spreading out, and I worked the bind off tightly.
The neck is often the spot where you will get the most stretching out of shape in a garment, so it makes sense to ensure it's got a firm edge.
The front edges are worked in the same way and worked in Double Garter Stitch.
I've used my favourite buttonhole method, the single row buttonhole. If you haven't tried it before, I'd suggest giving it a shot!
I hope you've enjoyed the KAL. If you haven't had a chance to join, come on in! All clues are now available, and you can knit at your own pace!
So it's now time for us to move onto the body of the Laminarus cardigan. This is works from the top down, you'll start by joining both fronts with the back by adding underarm stitches. This makes it a great place to tweak the sizing a little if you need to, adding more or less stitches.
Next will will work in stockinette stitch to just below the fullest bust point. If you're new to top down knitting the easiest way to check you length is by slipping half of your stitches onto a second needle so that you can stretch them out. This will allow you to try the cardigan on easily without having your stitches pop off the needle! (And yes, I've done this before......)
Now if you're happy with the length you can move onto the waist shaping. If your bust size is lower or higher you can adjust where you begin your shaping to suit your own body. You can also opt to change the type of shaping now as well. The pattern is written with a-line shaping, slowly increasing as you go down the body length. However I've give the option of adding a more fitted shape by first decreasing stitches towards the waist and then increasing below the waist. Or even if you would prefer working no body shaping at all.
Once you've worked a little further you will now begin to introduce the double garter stitch pattern and then the cables. Initially with the cables you will have 4 mirrored and then after one increase you will add 4 more cables. You can see how the cables are mirrored on each side of the body. If you want to move the position of the cables around you can also easily do that by moving the stitch markers to a different location.
Have fun knitting the body of the Laminarus, those 2 colour cables are VERY addictive!
It's time to get started with clue 1 of our Laminarus KAL now. This clue is all about the yoke.
The cardigan begins with the striped shoulder saddles. They are worked in double garter stitch and start at the inner sides of the neck, and work out (with decreases) to the edge of the shoulder. From there you will pick up stitches along each side (adding stitches to the centre of the back) and work the back of the yoke. You can see that initially you will be working in double garter stitch and that will then become stockinette stitch in the lighter colour. You will then work straight until you need to start increases for your armholes, bringing the bust size to the width you need.
Once the back is complete you will do the same thing for each side of the front. There are two differences though, first you will be only working in stockinette stitch and secondly you'll also be adding some shaping in for you neck.
A big part of knitting for yourself is modifying the shape to fit your body. Before you begin knitting make sure you take your body measurement, that way you will be able to check your dimensions against the schematic. You can add the two shoulder widths together with the neck width to check that it matches your shoulder width. If it varies you can change the width you are knitting but then you will need to adjust the armhole shaping to ensure that you also get the bust width that you want.
If you wish to change the shape of the front neckline you can work more rows straight before increasing to create a 'scoop' neck or alternatively even work increases every other right side row to create a 'v-neck' option.
Will you make any modifications?
Remember to join the Teachable class to get video tutorials and ask any pattern questions.
You can still join the KAL!
Pattern here
Yarn kit here
Anyone ready for a brand new KAL?
I always love this time of year, the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer and now it’s time to knit ourselves a brand new cardigan!
A few years ago I designed a shawl, SiOG Stripes for a mystery KAL. In it, I used a stitch that I called the Double Garter Stitch where you work two rows on each side, one with each colour. I really liked the effect it created and I was very eager to use the stitch pattern in a garment.
Well, it took me a little while to get around to designing it but Laminarus is the end result. It’s a stretchy stitch pattern and very dramatic so I just added in a few places; at the saddle and at the bottom half of the body.
This cardigan starts from the top with a small double garter stitch triangular saddle on each shoulder. From there you will work the front and back separately until you reach the underarm where it joins together for the body. Below the bust, you’ll begin working in Double Garter Stitch again and some cables are introduced as well. Finally, the sleeves are picked up around the armhole where we will use short rows to create a seamless set-in sleeve.
This style of cardigan is really great for modifying. You can fairly easily change any section without having a big impact on the other parts of the design. I’ll be giving lots of tips on the KAL tip page that will help with modifying. Do you need your shoulders wider or narrower? Do you want to add waist shaping instead of an a-line shape?
If you haven’t done a KAL with me before you can find lots of information about how they work here.
In a nutshell what we do is create a pattern that comes out in small chunks as a series of ‘clues’. This is supported with access to a full video workshop on Teachable (free for KAL members, and you keep access after the KAL is over), and finally you’ll get the support of other knitters in our Facebook Group.
So with the KAL you’ll have fun learning with other knitters AND a finished cardigan at the end of the process!
You can buy the pattern here or on Ravelry here.
Initially you will get an introduction and basic sizing information. Each section of the pattern will be released on the clue schedule:
Want a kit?
Come add a yarn kit here as well and when you bundle both you can get a 10% discount until the KAL starts!
KALs are always very exciting but each member knits at their own pace. I hope this post answered most of your questions about the KAL and you enjoyed meeting my latest design.
There is really only one questions left.
Will you join us?
